Deseret News prep editor Jay Hinton was one of 13 people honored by the Utah High School Activities Association for his contributions to high school sports.
The UHSAA announced Hinton would receive the Distinguished Media Service Award Thursday afternoon. Hinton has been the prep sports editor since September of 2000. Before that he worked on the paper's city desk on the crime beat.
He began his career at the Deseret News in the pagination department in 1994.
"The committee just felt like Jay was a person who really understands the value of activities in the lives of kids," said UHSAA assistant director Dave Wilkey. "We felt like the Deseret News was a real example of positiveness."
Others honored by UHSAA for service to prep sports were: Kennedy Sylvester, Piute, 1A coach of the year; Marshall Sheriff, Millard, 2A coach of the year; Mark Wootten, North Sanpete, 3A coach of the year; Joe Pereira, Cyprus, 4A coach of the year; Jay Welk, Davis, 5A coach of the year; Daphne Nelson, female official of the year; Rex Thornton, male official of the year; Frank Lanheinrich, East, speech educator of the year; George Welch, Jordan, music educator of the year; Brian Phelps, Enterprise, athletic director of the year; Guy Fugal, Alpine, Distinguished Contributor; Merrill Turnbow, project manager for the UHSAA building, Distinguished Contributor; Jodi Lake, Dee Events Center, Distinguished Contributor.
All of those honored will be recognized at a banquet.